Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations at Hutchinson Community College

With earnings of $34,937 and debt of $17,920, Hutchinson Community College's entrepreneurship program puts graduates in manageable financial territory—they'll owe about half a year's salary. That's workable for an associate degree, particularly when you consider that entrepreneurship programs often serve as launchpads where initial earnings don't tell the full story.

The program sits in the middle of Kansas offerings (60th percentile) but trails the national median by about $2,700. That national ranking in the 21st percentile matters less than it might initially seem, though, since entrepreneurship earnings vary wildly by location and business type. Someone launching a local service business in Kansas likely has different economics than a tech startup founder in Austin. The debt load is notably lower than most programs nationally (5th percentile), which gives graduates breathing room as they figure out their path.

The significant caveat: fewer than 30 graduates means these numbers could shift dramatically year to year. If this is genuinely about starting a business, your child should view this as foundational training rather than a direct path to W-2 employment. The modest debt load is the program's strongest selling point—it won't anchor them if their first venture takes time to gain traction.